Spinal support device and methods of use

Abstract

Spinal support devices and methods of use. Support devices have a base unit, a neck support unit defining a first end, an upper thigh support unit defining a second end, and a mid-back support unit positioned between said neck and upper thigh support units, wherein the neck, upper thigh, and mid-back support units each have a convex shaped topside with an apex that is configured to align within designated concave shaped areas on the user's backside.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of using a spinal support device on a human:
 providing a spinal support device comprising a base unit having a longitudinal axis along first and second ends, and having a neck support unit defining the first end, an upper thigh support unit defining the second end, and a mid-back support unit positioned between said neck and upper thigh support units, wherein the neck, upper thigh, and mid-back support units each have a convex shaped topside with an apex; and 
 positioning the person on the device in a supine position, wherein, the apex of the mid-back support unit supports the center, or within 0.5 inches up or down from said center, of the L1 vertebra, the apex of the neck support unit supports the center, or within 0.5 inches up or down from said center, of the C5 vertebra, and the apex of the upper thigh support unit supports the upper thighs, wherein the neck support unit is configured to be slidable and releasably lockable along the longitudinal axis of the base unit both towards and away from the mid-back support unit so as to form a first gap between the neck support unit and the mid-back support unit; and wherein the upper thigh support unit is configured to be slidable and releasably lockable along the longitudinal axis of the base unit both towards and away from the mid-back support unit so as to form a second gap between the upper thigh support unit and the mid-back support unit; 
 measuring a predetermined span of the human's spine that is the distance between the top of the T1 vertebra to the bottom of the sacrum and adjusting the neck and upper thigh support units either closer to or away from the mid-back support unit based on the measured length, wherein, for a first person having a longer measurement than a second person, the neck and upper thigh support units are moved away from the mid-back support unit for the first person and moved closer to the mid-back support unit for the second person and when the predetermined length of the human spine is 23″ or less, the neck and upper thigh support units are adjacent to the mid-back support such that no first or second gaps exists; and 
 wherein intermittent locking points are set between: a) the neck support unit and mid-back support unit, and b) the upper thigh support unit and the mid-back support unit, such that the neck and upper thigh support units are releasably lockable at these points along the longitudinal axis and correspond to preset measured lengths of the predetermined span of the human's spine. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 23″ to 25″, the first gap is between 0 to 1 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 25″ to 27″, the first gap is between 1 to 2 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 27″ to 29″, the first gap is between 2 to 3 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 29″ to 31″, the first gap is between 3 to 4 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 31″ to 33″, the first gap is between 4 to 5 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       7. A method of using a spinal support device on a human:
 providing a spinal support device comprising a base unit having a longitudinal axis along first and second ends, and having a neck support unit defining the first end, an upper thigh support unit defining the second end, and a mid-back support unit positioned between said neck and upper thigh support units, wherein the neck, upper thigh, and mid-back support units each have a convex shaped topside with an apex; and 
 positioning the person on the device in a supine position, wherein, the apex of the mid-back support unit supports the center, or within 0.5 inches up or down from said center, of the L1 vertebra, the apex of the neck support unit supports the center, or within 0.5 inches up or down from said center, of the C5 vertebra, and the apex of the upper thigh support unit supports the upper thighs, wherein the neck support unit is configured to be slidable and releasably lockable along the longitudinal axis of the base unit both towards and away from the mid-back support unit so as to form a first gap between the neck support unit and the mid-back support unit; and wherein the upper thigh support unit is configured to be slidable and releasably lockable along the longitudinal axis of the base unit both towards and away from the mid-back support unit so as to form a second gap between the upper thigh support unit and the mid-back support unit; 
 measuring a predetermined span of the human's spine that is the distance between the top of the T1 vertebra to the bottom of the sacrum and adjusting the neck and upper thigh support units either closer to or away from the mid-back support unit based on the measured length, wherein, for a first person having a longer measurement than a second person, the neck and upper thigh support units are moved away from the mid-back support unit for the first person and moved closer to the mid-back support unit for the second person and when the length of the human spine is between 23″ to 25″, the first gap is between 0 to 1 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap; and 
 wherein intermittent locking points are set between: a) the neck support unit and mid-back support unit, and b) the upper thigh support unit and the mid-back support unit, such that the neck and upper thigh support units are releasably lockable at these points along the longitudinal axis and correspond to preset measured lengths of the predetermined span of the human's spine. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 25″ to 27″, the first gap is between 1 to 2 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 27″ to 29″, the first gap is between 2 to 3 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 29″ to 31″, the first gap is between 3 to 4 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 31″ to 33″, the first gap is between 4 to 5 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       12. A method of using a spinal support device on a human:
 providing a spinal support device comprising a base unit having a longitudinal axis along first and second ends, and having a neck support unit defining the first end, an upper thigh support unit defining the second end, and a mid-back support unit positioned between said neck and upper thigh support units, wherein the neck, upper thigh, and mid-back support units each have a convex shaped topside with an apex; and 
 positioning the person on the device in a supine position, wherein, the apex of the mid-back support unit supports the center, or within 0.5 inches up or down from said center, of the L1 vertebra, the apex of the neck support unit supports the center, or within 0.5 inches up or down from said center, of the C5 vertebra, and the apex of the upper thigh support unit supports the upper thighs, wherein the neck support unit is configured to be slidable and releasably lockable along the longitudinal axis of the base unit both towards and away from the mid-back support unit so as to form a first gap between the neck support unit and the mid-back support unit; and wherein the upper thigh support unit is configured to be slidable and releasably lockable along the longitudinal axis of the base unit both towards and away from the mid-back support unit so as to form a second gap between the upper thigh support unit and the mid-back support unit; 
 measuring a predetermined span of the human's spine that is the distance between the top of the T1 vertebra to the bottom of the sacrum and adjusting the neck and upper thigh support units either closer to or away from the mid-back support unit based on the measured length, wherein, for a first person having a longer measurement than a second person, the neck and upper thigh support units are moved away from the mid-back support unit for the first person and moved closer to the mid-back support unit for the second person and when the length of the human spine is between 25″ to 27″, the first gap is between 1 to 2 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap; and 
 wherein intermittent locking points are set between: a) the neck support unit and mid-back support unit, and b) the upper thigh support unit and the mid-back support unit, such that the neck and upper thigh support units are releasably lockable at these points along the longitudinal axis and correspond to preset measured lengths of the predetermined span of the human's spine. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 27″ to 29″, the first gap is between 2 to 3 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 29″ to 31″, the first gap is between 3 to 4 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein when the length of the human spine is between 31″ to 33″, the first gap is between 4 to 5 inches and the second gap is between 1.025 to 1.225 times greater than the length of the first gap.